Poseable figure

ABSTRACT

A bendable portion for a toy figure includes a bendable internal piece, a first rigid element coupled to the bendable internal piece to prevent it from being bent in the region to which the first rigid element is coupled, and a resilient outer layer covering the bendable internal piece and the first rigid element. The bendable internal piece has a shape that permits the bendable internal piece to be bent about a first axis to establish different configurations, that retains those configurations after being bent, and that impedes bending of the bendable internal piece about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis such that a force required to bend the bendable internal piece about the second axis is more than twice a force required to bend the bendable internal piece about the first axis. The resilient outer layer defines an outer surface of the bendable portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This description relates to poseable figures.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A poseable figure is a figure that may be oriented into a selected pose that is retained until the figure is oriented into another pose.

SUMMARY

[0003] In one general aspect, a bendable portion for a toy figure includes a bendable internal piece, a first rigid element coupled to the bendable internal piece such that the bendable internal piece is prevented from being bent in a region to which the first rigid element is coupled, and a resilient outer layer covering the bendable internal piece and the first rigid element to define an outer surface of the bendable portion of the toy figure. The bendable internal piece is made from a material and has a shape that permits the bendable internal piece to be bent about a first axis to establish different configurations and to retain those configurations after being bent. Furthermore, the shape and material of the bendable internal piece impede bending of the bendable internal piece about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis such that a force required to bend the bendable internal piece about the second axis is more than twice a force required to bend the bendable internal piece about the first axis.

[0004] Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the material of the bendable internal piece may include a sheet of metal. The first rigid element may include plastic. The resilient outer layer may be made from a material that includes a resilient material, such as latex, synthetic resin, foam, or rubber. The resilient material may be molded around the bendable internal piece and the first rigid element to form the resilient outer layer. More generally, the resilient outer layer may be made from a material that is selected to permit bending and retention of the configurations of the bendable internal piece.

[0005] The bendable internal piece may include a body to which the first rigid element is coupled, and an extension emanating from the body. The bendable internal piece may include a projection emanating from the body at end that is opposite the end from which the extension emanates. The body may be in the form of a palm of a hand, the extension may be in the form of a forearm, and the projection may be in the form of a finger. An area of the projection may be smaller than an area of the body. The portion may further include a second rigid element coupled to a first portion of the extension such that the bendable internal piece is prevented from being bent at the first portion of the extension. The first and second rigid elements may be configured to permit the bendable internal piece to be bent within a second portion of the extension that is between the body and the first portion of the extension.

[0006] Aspects of the figure can include one or more of the following advantages. For example, the bendable portion for the toy figure may be bent into realistic shapes because the bendable internal piece is made from a material and has a shape that permits bending in particular directions while impeding bending in other directions.

[0007] Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bendable portion of a toy figure.

[0009]FIGS. 2 and 3 are front and back views of the bendable portion of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIGS. 4-6 are perspective side views of the bendable portion of FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 7 is a side view of a region of the bendable portion of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 8 is a front view of a region of the bendable portion of FIG. 1.

[0013] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, with particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a bendable portion 100 of a toy figure in the shape of a forearm and hand includes a bendable internal piece 105 including a palm 110, a forearm 115 having an arm portion 117 and a wrist portion 119 and emanating from the palm 110, and fingers 120 emanating from the palm 110. The portion 100 also includes a first rigid element 125 coupled to the piece 105 at the palm 110 and a second rigid element 130 coupled to the piece at the arm portion 117 of the forearm 115.

[0015] To provide a realistic form, the portion 100 includes a resilient outer layer 145 formed around the piece 105 and the rigid elements 125, 130 to define an outer surface of the portion 100. In figures other than FIG. 1, the portion 100 is shown with the outer layer 145 removed but depicted using broken lines. The outer layer 145 includes a palm region 150 covering the palm 110, a forearm region 155 covering the forearm 115, and finger regions 160 covering each of the fingers 120.

[0016] As is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first rigid element 125 is coupled to the palm 110 of the piece 105 using a snap fit or an interference fit between a protrusion 300 formed in the first rigid element 125 and a hole 305 formed in the palm 110 of the piece 105. Additionally or alternatively, the first rigid element 125 may be glued to the palm 110. Similarly, the second rigid element 130 is coupled to the arm portion 117 using a snap fit or an interference fit between a protrusion 350 formed in the second rigid element 130 and a hole 355 formed in the arm portion 117. Additionally or alternatively, the second rigid element 130 may be glued to the arm portion 117.

[0017] Referring also to FIG. 7, the piece 105 is made from a material and has a shape that permits it to be bent in a region 700 of the piece 105 about a first axis 705 (coming out of the page) to establish different configurations and to retain those configurations after being bent. The original form of the region 700 is illustrated by dotted line 715 and the bent form of the region 700 is illustrated by solid line 720.

[0018] Additionally, referring also to FIG. 8, the material and shape of the piece 105 impedes bending of the piece 105 in a region 750 of the piece 105 about a second axis 755 (coming out of the page) that is perpendicular to the first axis 705 in that region 750. In this way, a force required to bend the bendable internal piece about the second axis 755 is greater than (for example, more than twice) a force required to bend the bendable internal piece about the first axis 705.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 4-6 in particular, in operation, the piece 105 is prevented from being bent in regions to which the first and second rigid elements 125, 130 are coupled. Thus, the portion 100 may be bent in those regions of the piece 105 not coupled to the rigid elements 125, 130. In particular, the fingers 120 and the wrist portion 119 may be bent in regions about respective first axes. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the fingers 120 are bent a small amount while the wrist portion 119 is left straight. In FIG. 5, the fingers 120 are bent even more than in FIG. 4, and the wrist portion 119 is again left straight. In FIG. 6, the fingers 120 are bent as in FIG. 4, and the wrist portion 119 is bent as well.

[0020] The piece 105 is made of any suitable flexible material that is poseable in that the material may be oriented into a selected pose that is retained until the material is oriented into another pose. Thus, for example, the piece 105 may be made from a thin sheet of metal.

[0021] The outer layer 145 is made of any suitable resilient material that permits bending and retention of the shape of the piece 105. The material for the outer layer 145 is selected to impart a realism to the portion 100. Thus, for example, because the portion 100 is shaped like a human hand, wrist, and forearm, the material for the outer layer 145 is chosen to imitate the texture and feel of the human hand, wrist, and forearm. The material for the outer layer 145 may be latex, synthetic resin, foam, rubber, or a similar soft pliable material that can be cast or molded over the piece 105 and the rigid elements 125, 130 coupled to the piece 105. In one example, the material for the outer layer 145 is polyvinylchloride (PVC) having a Durometer (Shore A) of about 65.

[0022] The first and second rigid elements 125, 130 may be made of any suitable rigid material, such as, for example, rigid plastic.

[0023] Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the first or second rigid elements may be coupled to the piece using any suitable technique, including spot welding or by attachment with a screw.

[0024] The portion is shown in the shape of a human hand, wrist, and forearm. The portion may be formed into other shapes, such as, for example, a human foot, ankle, and heel; a hand, wrist, and forearm of another animal, such as a gorilla; an appendage from another animal; or a body of another animal, such as, for example, the body and tentacles of an octopus. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bendable portion for a toy figure, the portion comprising: a bendable internal piece made from a material and having a shape that permits the bendable internal piece to be bent about a first axis to establish different configurations, that retains those configurations after being bent, and that impedes bending of the bendable internal piece about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis such that a force required to bend the bendable internal piece about the second axis is more than twice a force required to bend the bendable internal piece about the first axis; a first rigid element coupled to the bendable internal piece such that the bendable internal piece is prevented from being bent in a region to which the first rigid element is coupled; and a resilient outer layer covering the bendable internal piece and the first rigid element to define an outer surface of the bendable portion of the toy figure.
 2. The portion of claim 1 in which the material of the bendable internal piece includes sheet metal.
 3. The portion of claim 1 in which the bendable internal piece includes: a body to which the first rigid element is coupled; and an extension emanating from the body.
 4. The portion of claim 3 in which the bendable internal piece includes a projection emanating from the body at end that is opposite the end from which the extension emanates.
 5. The portion of claim 4 in which: the body is in the form of a palm of a hand; the extension is in the form of a forearm; and the projection is in the form of a finger.
 6. The portion of claim 3 in which an area of the projection is smaller than an area of the body.
 7. The portion of claim 3 further comprising a second rigid element coupled to a first portion of the extension such that the bendable internal piece is prevented from being bent within first portion.
 8. The portion of claim 7 in which the first and second rigid elements are configured to permit the bendable internal piece to be bent within a second portion of the extension that is between the body and the first portion of the extension.
 9. The portion of claim 7 in which the second rigid element includes plastic.
 10. The portion of claim 1 in which the first rigid element includes plastic.
 11. The portion of claim 1 in which the resilient outer layer is made from a material that includes a resilient material.
 12. The portion of claim 11 in which the resilient material is molded around the bendable internal piece and the first rigid element to form the resilient outer layer.
 13. The portion of claim 1 in which the resilient outer layer is made from a material that includes one or more of latex, synthetic resin, foam, and rubber.
 14. The portion of claim 1 in which the resilient outer layer is made from a material that is selected to permit bending and retention of the configurations of the bendable internal piece.
 15. A bendable portion for a toy figure, the portion comprising: a bendable internal piece made from a material and having a shape that permits the bendable internal piece to be bent about a first axis to establish different configurations, that retains those configurations after being bent, and that impedes bending of the bendable internal piece about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis such that a force required to bend the bendable internal piece about the second axis is more than twice a force required to bend the bendable internal piece about the first axis, the bendable internal piece includes: a body shaped in the form of a palm of a human hand, an extension emanating from the body and shaped in the form of a wrist and forearm of the human hand, and projections emanating from the body and shaped in the form of fingers of the human hand; a first rigid element coupled to the body of the bendable internal piece such that the bendable internal piece is prevented from being bent in the body; a second rigid element coupled to a portion of the extension that is shaped like a forearm such that the bendable internal piece is prevented from being bent in the extension portion; and a resilient outer layer covering the bendable internal piece and the first and second rigid elements to define an outer surface of the bendable portion of the toy figure; in which a region of the piece not coupled to the first and second rigid elements is bendable into a pose in a direction about a bend axis that is perpendicular to the side surface in the region at which the piece is bent. 